What kind of entry level positions can I get with the A+, Network + and MCSA certifications?

Question

I do not have a college degree and I am new to the IT industry.

Answer 1

The real question is...Are you "paper" or are you for real?

The certs you got show that you are supposed to be very good at what you do...But if you have no real world experience, its VERY easy to oversell your self...Then choke.

You have to walk a fine line of not overselling your self by making clear that you are new...But be confident and have a "go getum" attitude.

You can find work at your local big-box computer store (Fry's, Best buy etc) in the repair dept. I would recommend against that as its pretty dead end. You will have no where to go or move up once you're there.

If I were you, I would try to get into a company that has help desk/tech support and higher levels of IT. That way you can ease your way into the industry and work your way up with the same company. Conversely, depending on how good you are you can try to get into a consulting firm as a field tech. This is very tough if you are new but you will meet a lot of people and different companies that outsource their IT needs. Your skills will also have to increase at breakneck speed to survive. If you can hack it, you will start "networking" with the right people at these companies and can either keep running around like a mad man fixing all kinds of networks OR you can hit up one of your clients. Chances are, after a while you will get solicited to work as an IT guy some where. That's when you get the kush desk, nice fat budget, great job security and a steady paycheck. (obviously don't burn your current employer!)

The real world is very different from what you learned from your certs...Lots of the stuff you learned are for high-level Microsoft only applications. Which gives the illusions that you know more than you need...Be warned, the "low level" stuff will kick your butt up and down just as well. That's because the real world ain't only about M$, their is a tangle of hundreds of other software and needs that when combined create very different beasts.

Back in the NT days is when I got my MCSE and was green...You will learn that the back-end stuff pretty much takes care of its self once its setup. Its the front end stuff that they don't teach you that will drive you insane. Also, working with other software for integration purposes will make you crazy. If you can get in with a consulting firm and they are patient with you...You can learn sooo much.

Don't waste your time too much with Monster and Hotjobs...Go to companies in your area and drop off your resume. Pick up the phone book and get your resumes to firms in your area. You will find that there are allot of small consulting firms that would never put up an add for help wanted. But they are most of the time very friendly and more apt to actually look at your resume...and maybe hire you or pass it on.

Good luck !

Answer 2

go to a consulting firm, and maybe they can give you short term contracts or something similar. the trouble is that too many people have gone to networking classes, became certified by instructors who said they should be making 40-50/hr, and that's not the case.

i have 6 networking people under me, and i pay them from 15-25 bucks depending on client and experience (in that order)

Good luck.